You are here

Classroom Access

Much of Oregon State University is located within a historic district. Some of our historic buildings present accessibility challenges, which require relocation of classes or placement of specialized furniture. Classroom access may also require an additional aid (lab assistant, classroom assistant, library assistant, etc). Classroom access accommodations are generally provided by Disability Access Services.

Physical Accommodations

Accessible Classroom/Classroom Relocation

This is exactly what it sounds like. Some of our classrooms are inaccessible or impossible to use for students with certain disabilities. DAS works with the registrar's office and the faculty member to find a new location for the class.

How Faculty Can Help

Please be specific when putting in your classroom requests with the registrar's office, so that if your class needs to be relocated, we choose a location that meets your needs.

Accessible Computer

While accessibility addresses more than physical access, this particular accommodation refers specifically to how physically accessible the computer desk is. Can the height be adjusted? Is there enough room underneath for a wheelchair or a footstool as necessary? Contact DAS or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEA) for information about how to make accessible stations in your computer and science labs.

Accessible Fieldtrips

OSU is responsible for ensuring access to all facets of learning - that includes making sure fieldtrips and other class outings are accessible.

How Faculty Can Help

If you have a student who has a mobility concern, make sure you check the accessibility of your class trip destinations before the trip. If you will be visiting a business or other building, are there accessible routes and entrances? For outdoor trips, are there paved or other wheelchair accessible paths? How are you getting to the destination? Can the student access the transportation?

Foot Stools

Chair - No Arms or Padded with Lumbar Support

Some students need chairs that provide them with additional back support, padding, or space. This furniture is managed by DAS. You can recognize it either by the ADA furniture signs or the small AeroScout location tags placed on each piece of furniture.

How Faculty Can Help

Faculty members often like our chairs - they are more comfortable than most classroom furniture, and we do not mind them being used, so long as they are in place for our students when they are needed. Please do not use or block the DAS chairs when there is a student in your class who receives a lumbar support chair as an accommodation.

Podium in Class

DAS provided podiums are actually small desks on wheels that can be quickly and easily raised to a standing position.

Preferential Seating

Some students with disabilities need to sit in a specific part of the classroom due to access, allergies, medical need, visibility, volume, etc. Most students are able to get a seat in an acceptable location on their own. However, particularly in large or crowded classrooms, students may work with DAS and faculty to reserve a seat.

Table

DAS provided tables are large and height-adjustable, with no obstructions in the center. This allows students using DAS lumbar support chairs and students using wheelchairs to have a table that they can adjust to the height they need.

How Faculty Can Help

These height adjustable tables are often pushed to the sides or the teaching areas of the classroom over time. DAS works to make sure that the tables are placed properly at the beginning of each term. Many of the students who need these tables cannot move them. Please be aware that a student may need assistance, if someone in a previous class has moved or blocked a table.

In-Class Assistants

Classroom Assistant

DAS occasionally provides an in-class assistant for students. Classroom assistants are assigned for a variety of reasons, but they are meant only to be the hands or eyes of the student they are helping. They will not participate in class, and should not coach or prompt the student. They are only in class to perform tasks as the student directs them.

In Class Services Animal

Service Animals are specially trained to perform a specific task. The task could be one of many, from acting as a guide for someone who is blind or has low vision, to warning of an oncoming medical emergency such as a seizure. If you have questions about service animals in classroom or lab settings, please contact us.

Lab Assistant

DAS occasionally provides a lab assistant for students. Lab assistants are assigned for a variety of reasons, but they are meant only to be the hands or eyes of the student they are helping. They will not coach or prompt the student. They are only in the lab to perform tasks as the student directs them.